Brassiere



R. K. SMITH BRASSIERE Jan. 29, 1963 Filed Oct. 12, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l a Q J INV ENT OR. Rowe K d'miifi ATTORJVEYS R. K. SMITH BRASSIERE 7 Jan. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12, 1959 Jan. 29, 1963 R. K. SMITH 3,075,530

BRASSIERE Filed Oct. 12, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

Rode Kdmifb Y R. K. SMITH BRASSIERE Jan. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 'Filed Oct. 12,, 1959 INV EN TOR Kare Kcfmz'fl 1963 R. K. SMITH 3,075,530

BRASSIERE Filed Oct. 12, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Jan. 29, 1963 $075,536 BRASfilERE Rose K. Eirnith, Newark, Del. (1614 Harvey Road, Wiirnington, Del.) Filed Oct. 12, 1959, Ser. No. 845,680 13 Claims. (Cl. 128-477) This invention relates to a brassiere which is supported without having any straps attached across the tops of its cup elements, and more particularly relates to such a brassiere which may have its straps attached to the sides of the cup elements or be entirely supported without straps.

Although it is most simple and expedient to support a brassiere by means of shoulder straps connected approximately to the top center of the cup elements, this type Of support has many disadvantages. One of these is the exposure of the straps when dresses with wider neck lines are worn; and another is the deleterious pressure of these straps upon the upper portions of the breasts which tends to adversely confine natural curves and to break down muscle tissues. Attempts have been made to provide other means of support for the inner and upper portions of brassieres, and various wiring and stiffening arrangements have been accordingly utilized. However, such arrangements have never fully succeeded in enhancing natural contours without causing a prohibitive amount of discomfort.

An object of this invention is to provide a brassiere which is supported without the use of straps attached to upper central portions of the cup elements; and

, Another object is to provide such a brassiere which enhances natural contours, does not tend to break down muscle tissues and does not cause any discomfort.

In accordance with this invention, a central area connects adjacent portions of the cup elements and extends below them. A rigid vertical rib of limited length is attached to this central area and extends from a lower portion thereof to a portion disposed between upper portions of the cup elements. A hand area is connected to the outer sides of the cup elements, and it is also connected to the lower portion of the central area for maintaining it fitted close to the body. The rigid vertical rib has a shape which brings its upper portion into contact with the outer surface of the sternum area when it is urged towards the body by the pull which the band area exerts upon the central area thereby adequately supporting the inner sides .of the cup elements including their upper portions. The. rib is shaped, for example, to correspond to the outer surface of the sternum area and terminates short of the abdomen region thereby preventing any discomfort. Furthermore, the possibility of any discomfort at all is avoided by making the lower portion of the central area of substantially elastic material; and any deleterious pressure which might be caused by the tops of the cup elements is avoided by making them of stretchable construction. These features all cooperate to provide a firm uplift without the exertion of any downward binding pressure thereby molding natural attractive contours and avoiding any strain or breakdown of the natural muscular support.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a woman wearing one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective three-quarter front view similar to FIG. 1;

-'- FIG. 3 is a perspective outside front view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;-

FIG. 4 is an inside view similar to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of a slightly modified embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rib portion of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 5 along the line 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a view in elevation of another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 9 along the line 1t)1ti;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views in elevation of materials used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown a woman It wearing an embodiment 12 of this invention which incorporates a pair of cup elements 14, and a central area 16 which connects adjacent portions of cup elements 14 and extends below them a short distance for reasons which are later explained. A band area 18 is connected to the outer sides of elements 314 remote from central area 16 and to the lower portion 2t) of central area 16 to maintain it fitted close to the body. A rigid vertical rib 22 is shaped to maintain its upper portion 24 fitted close to the sternum area when it is urged towards the body by the pull which the band area exerts upon the central area. Rib 22 is accordingly shaped to approximately corre spond to the outer surface of the sternum area, and it is encased within a sheath 26 which is securely sewn to central area 16.

The lower portion 20 of central area 16 is, for example, made of elastic material in which the principal directions of elongation are designated by lines 28 and form a V with rib 22 disposed at its apex. This elasticity in conjunction with the pull exerted by hand area 18 maintains the lower portion of rib 22 pulled close against the sternum area without causing discomfort during breathing or any contortions of the body. The upper portion 34) of central area 16 is made, for example, of substantially inelastic material to provide a firm anchoring point for inner sides 32 of the cup elements and particularly their upper edges for adequately supporting the central portion of the brassiere without requiring any vertical straps across the full width of the cup elements. The upper edge areas 34 of cup elements 14 are made substantially stretchable in construction, for example, by incorporating fabric which is cut on the bias or being made of substantially elastic material to prevent any undue pressure which might break down muscle tissues or interfere with enhancement of natural contours. A pair of shoulder straps 36 are attached to the sides of cup,elements 14 remote from the central area and disposition of the straps at these points prevents the exertion of any undue pressure, and avoids any strap exposure when dresses with wide neck lines are worn.

Rib 22 as shown in detail in FIG. 6 includes a curved upper portion 38 and a substantially straight lower portion 49 which are substantially equal in length to each other. The over-all length of the rib rangesfor example, approximately from 2 to 4 inches and it is approximately 4 inch wide and A inch thick. Its lower edge is terminated short of the abdomen region to avoid any discomfort and variations within the aforementioned lengths should permit this object to be achieved over the normal range of figure sizes and configurations. This rib is made, for example, of stainless steel or Delrin which is the trademark for a high melting, highly crystalline type of acetal resin polymer made by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., inc, Wilmington, Deleware. It has a polyoxymethylene molecular structure made by the polymerization of formaldehyde, and it may be generally described as a linear acetal consisting of unbranched polyoxymethylene chains of great length normally averaging more than 1,000 Ch O units. This polymer, as described on pages 82-84 of Modern Plastics Encyclopedia issue for 1959 published in September 1958 by Breskin Publications, Inc., and Plastics Catalog Corp. has an excellent combination of high strength and stiffness, good fatigue life, outstanding resilience and toughness and exceptional organic solvent resistance.

FIGS. 3 and .4 show various details of brassiere 12 both of the novel characteristics described herein and the other required elements which may be of a rather conventional character. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, rib 22 is encased within a fabric sheath 26 which is sewn securely to central area 16, and a lower fabric band 44 is sewn to the lower edge of lower elastic portion 20 of central area 16 to maintain it straight and unwrinkled.

'In FIGS. 5 and 7 is shown another embodiment 12a which incorporates stiffened flaps 46 disposed within cup elements 14a for helping support the imperfect figure. Flaps 4'6 incorporate conventional boned ribs '84; and although these flaps are not in themselves novel, they are particularly helpful in conjunction with this invention in providing a highly advantageous brassiere structure for a particular type of figure.

In FIG. 8 is shown a strapless version of this invention 12b which incorporates cup elements 14b and a rib 22b substantially similar to those previously described. However, band area 18b is extended a considerable distance downward and incorporates elastic and stiffening-elements later described to provide a strapless type of construction. Furthermore central-area 16b is separated from the lower extension 50 by cutout -52 of hand area 1811 to prevent the lower edge of rib 22b from being drawn into contact with the abdomen area.

The portion 54 of band area 18b adjacent central area 16b and immediately below cup element 14b is, for example, made of substantially inelastic material as is the section 56 between full length vertical bones 58 and 60 which stiifen the garment. The rear panels 62 are made ofelastic material and incorporate at their back edge a suitable fastening means such as a zipper or hooks and eyes 64. In the structure shown, the top 66 of bones 60 represents the underarm center, the bottom 68 of bone 60 is the side, center, and the line 70 aligned with rib 22b is the center front of which the bottom point 72 is the approximate center of the waistline.

Although the effect upon the figure of the garment of FIG. 8 is not illustrated, it operates in substantially the same manner as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to comfortably support and shape the bosom toa natural and beautiful curve. As previously mentioned, this is a result of both the novel mannerin which the center of the brassiere is supported as well as the absence of any deleterious pressure or binding acrossthe upper area of the bosom which promotes and enhances the formation of natural, healthful and beautiful curves. These effects are highly advantageous for women of all ages both from a health and appearance viewpoint and particularly advantageous for younger girls and women whose muscles are subject to breakdown from adverse downward binding pressure.

,FIGS. 912 illustrates an embodiment of this invention which is generally similar to brassiere 12 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. However, the material and the manner in which it has been utilized'is slightly different. Accordingly, since brassiere 120 is generally similar to brassiere 12, parts which are identical are not specifically mentioned; and only the slight differences therefrom are discussed.

In FIGS. 9-12, a single outer layer of fabric 74, which is for example lace, forms the external surface of the garment, and a relatively smooth inner single layer of material 76, which is for example marquisette, forms the major portion of the inner surface of the garment.

The upper edge areas 34c of the cup elements 14c are made of a double layer of lace 74 as shown in detail in FIG. 10. These double layers of lace are cut and folded to orient the upper edges of the bias of the material. In a manner similar to upper edge areas 34 of cups 14 in FIGS. 3 and 4, this makes these portions substantially stretchable in construction which provides the various advantages previously discussed in detail.

In most respects embodiment is similar to embodiments 12 and 12a, both in structure and function. However, its mode of utilization of material provides a result which is decorative as well as highly advantageous formanufacture in quantity.

What is claimed is:

1. A brassiere comprising a pair of cup elements, a central area connecting adjacent portions of said cup elements and extending below them, a rigid vertical rib ranging from approximately two to four inches in length securely attached substantially over its entire length to said central area in a centered vertical disposition and extending from a lower portion of said central area to a portion of said central area disposed between upper portions of said cup elements, band areas connected to the outer sides of said cup elements remote from said central area and to the lower portions of said central area, a band means long enough to encircle the body attached to said b and areas, for maintaining said outer sides of said cup elements and said lower portion of said central area fitted close to the body, detachable connecting means for engaging and disengaging said brassiere about the body, the upper portion of said cup elements above a line directed approximately between the upper areas of connection of said cup elements with said central area and said band areas being relieved out of forceful contact with the breasts to prevent them from exerting any downward pressure upon the breasts, the upper portion of said rigid vertical rib being deviated inwardly and shaped to correspond to the sternum area of the female body to bring it into intimate contact with the outer surface of the sternum area of the female body when it is urged toward said body by the pull which said band means and band areas exert upon said central area for maintaining said adjacent sides of said cup elements supported close to .the body, the lower portion of said rib being short enough to clear the abdomen region thereby preventing discomfort, and said band means and band areas incorporating elastic sections to permit said central area and rigid rib to be thereby snugly drawn into intimate contact with the body whereby the said adjacent and outer sides of cup elements are firmly supported in intimate contact with the body by said rigid rib and said band areas.

2. A brassiere as set forth in claim 1 wherein a pair of shoulder straps is attached to said band means and to. the band areas adjacent the sides of saidcup elements remotefrom said central area.

3 A brassiere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rigid vertical rib has a curved upper portion and a substantially straight lower portion.

4. A brassiere as set forth in claim 3 wherein said curved and straight portions are substantially equal in length to each other.

5. A brassiere asset forth in claim 3 wherein said rib is approximately inch wide and inch thick.

6. A brassiere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said central area has a substantially inelastic upper section and a substantially elastic lower section.

7. A brassiere as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of said cup elements is substantially stretchable to prevent undue binding.

8. A brassiere as set forth in claim 1 wherein said band area is extended downward a considerable distance and incorporates elastic and stiffening elements to provide a strapless construction.

9. A brassiere as set forth in claim 8 wherein the lower portion of said central area to which said rib is attached is separated from the lower extension of said band area to prevent said lower extension from drawing the lower edge of said rib into contact with said abdomen region.

10. A brassiere as set forth in claim 9 wherein the portion of said band area immediately below said cup elements and the upper portion of said central area are made of substantially inelastic material, and the portion of said lower extension below said inelastic portions and the lower portion of said central area are made of substantially elastic material.

11. A brassiere as set forth in claim 6 wherein said substantially elastic lower section extends above and below said band area.

12. A brassiere as set forth in claim 6 wherein said substantially elastic section has principal directions of 6 elongation which are diagonally disposed on both sides of said rib.

13. A brassiere as set forth in claim 12 wherein said principal directions of elongation form a V with said rib disposed at its vertex.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,506,172 Plehn May 2, 1950 2,773,261 Schaumer Dec. 11, 1956 2,867,216 Champagne et al Jan. 6, 1959 2,912,983 Horn NOV. 17, 1959 2,912,984 Jensen Nov. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 415,023 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1934 826,316 France Jan. 4, 1938 1,115,345 France Dec. 26, 1955 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,075.530 January 29, 1968 Rose K. Smith It is hereby certified that error appears I in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, line 22 for "84" read 48 column 4 line 4 for "of" first occurrence, read on ovember 1963.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of N (SEAL) Attest: ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWIN L, REYNOLDS Attesting Officer A C t i n 3 Commissioner of Patents 

1. A BRASSIERE COMPRISING A PAIR OF CUP ELEMENTS, A CENTRAL AREA CONNECTING ADJACENT PORTIONS OF SAID CUP ELEMENTS AND EXTENDING BELOW THEM, A RIGID VERTICAL RIB RANGING FROM APPROXIMATELY TWO TO FOUR INCHES IN LENGTH SECURELY ATTACHED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER ITS ENTIRE LENGTH TO SAID CENTRAL AREA IN A CENTERED VERTICAL DISPOSITION AND EXTENDING FROM A LOWER PORTION OF SAID CENTRAL AREA TO A PORTION OF SAID CENTRAL AREA DISPOSED BETWEEN UPPER PORTIONS OF SAID CUP ELEMENTS, BAND AREAS CONNECTED TO THE OUTER SIDES OF SAID CUP ELEMENTS REMOTE FROM SAID CENTRAL AREA AND TO THE LOWER PORTIONS OF SAID CENTRAL AREA, A BAND MEANS LONG ENOUGH TO ENCIRCLE THE BODY ATTACHED TO SAID BAND AREAS, FOR MAINTAINING SAID OUTER SIDES OF SAID CUP ELEMENTS AND SAID LOWER PORTION OF SAID CENTRAL AREA FITTED CLOSE TO THE BODY, DETACHABLE CONNECTING MEANS FOR ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING SAID BRASSIERE ABOUT THE BODY, THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CUP ELEMENTS ABOVE A LINE DIRECTED APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN THE UPPER AREAS OF CONNECTION OF SAID CUP ELEMENTS WITH SAID CENTRAL AREA AND SAID BAND AREAS BEING RELIEVED OUT OF FORCEFUL CONTACT WITH THE BREASTS TO PREVENT THEM FROM EXERTING ANY DOWNWARD PRESSURE UPON THE BREASTS, THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID RIGID VERTICAL RIB BEING DEVIATED INWARDLY AND SHAPED TO CORRESPOND TO THE STERNUM AREA OF THE FEMALE BODY TO BRING IT INTO INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE STERNUM AREA OF THE FEMALE BODY WHEN IT IS URGED TOWARD SAID BODY BY THE PULL WHICH SAID BAND MEANS AND BAND AREAS EXERT UPON SAID CENTRAL AREA FOR MAINTAINING SAID ADJACENT SIDES OF SAID CUP ELEMENTS SUPPORTED CLOSE TO THE BODY, THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID RIB BEING SHORT ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE ABDOMEN REGION THEREBY PREVENTING DISCOMFORT, AND SAID BAND MEANS AND BAND AREAS INCORPORATING ELASTIC SECTIONS TO PERMIT SAID CENTRAL AREA AND RIGID RIB TO BE THEREBY SNUGLY DRAWN INTO INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE BODY WHEREBY THE SAID ADJACENT AND OUTER SIDES OF CUP ELEMENTS ARE FIRMLY SUPPORTED IN INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE BODY BY SAID RIGID RIB AND SAID BAND AREAS. 